Three Premier League fixtures scheduled for this Sunday will kick off at the slightly unusual time of 2:05pm, a minor but notable change from the traditional 2pm slot.
Revised Kick-Off Times Explained
The affected matches are Aston Villa's clash with Wolves at Villa Park, champions Liverpool's away game against West Ham at the London Stadium, and Nottingham Forest's home fixture versus Brighton at the City Ground. This coordinated adjustment stems from an earlier televised game. Manchester United's match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park is set for a 12pm kick-off. The five-minute delay for the subsequent games is a standard measure to ensure that the broadcast of the early match does not overlap with the beginning of the 2pm broadcasts, preventing any potential spill-over of live action.
Emery's Cautious Approach to Midlands Derby
Despite Villa being tipped as favourites for the local derby, manager Unai Emery is refusing to take the threat of Wolves lightly. He emphasised the competitive nature of the league, stating he does not feel like a favourite in any Premier League match. Emery pointed to Wolves' recent performance against Tottenham, where they deserved to win but drew, as an example of their potential danger. He acknowledged that Wolves, under their new coach, will be motivated and excited, making it a challenging encounter. Emery insists his team must be demanding, respect the opponent, but ultimately play with their own personality and maintain their good form.
